During my senior year of high school, I made a history/picture book about the little town I grew up in. It was called “The History of Otselic, N.Y. 1793-1975”. The above picture was in that book and one of the things I always remembered about that picture was that the man who let me use that photo (and their names) said every man in the picture was between 92 and 96 years old at the time! From the first time I saw that picture almost 50 years ago I thought: “there are four men living in peace and contentment”. Perhaps they were living out 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life; you should mind you own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
One of my all-time favorite TV shows that is still being aired in reruns is The Andy Griffith Show. Many agree that the antics of Deputy Barney Fife are what made the show such a success. He had such unique mannerisms and expressions, that for simply the humor and the entertainment factor I have to agree-because it is still hard to watch him and not laugh! But I think the real hidden power of the show, the thing that continues to make people feel good, is the main character…Sheriff Andy Taylor. He is constantly making Barney “look better” at his job as Deputy, and he does just about the same thing for everyone in the whole town of Mayberry. His constant “calm in control” demeanor just seems to keep everything and everyone running smoothly. So, what was his secret? I have no idea if the writers’ put traits into the part he was playing or if a lot of it was natural, but Andy was demonstrating a man with a “satisfied mind”. In fact, in one episode “The Class Reunion” He reveals his satisfied mind. The setting was, his old high school girlfriend comes to the reunion, she’s been “climbing the business ladder in Chicago”. They start talking and wondering why things never “worked out” with them as a couple. Then she starts talking about how she has to get back to Chicago and business, and she challenges Andy to try something different “to live up to his potential”. Andy says: “I’ve found what I want” she says, “how do you know? You never tried anything else.” Andy said: “I don’t have to, and even if I did, I’d find out I already found it.” That’s a statement from a man with a satisfied mind, which is another way of saying he has found contentment.
“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
In the 1950’s Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes wrote a song called “A Satisfied Mind”. Red said everything in the song are things he had heard his mother say over the years. He got the title from his father-in-law because one day he asked Red who the richest man in the world was, and Red started naming some possibilities. His father-in-law said, “You’re wrong, it is the man with a satisfied mind.” The song has a lot of meaning and is still being recorded by people today. (To see and hear a good current version look up “Wade Spencer Satisfied Mind”)
I can honestly say I have much to be thankful for, I’ve been richly blessed, and I have a satisfied mind. I hope you do also because if you have contentment, you have everything.
Till Next Time…..
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